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All 6th form students are to attend a meeting on Tuesday in the main conference room, opposite the school restaurant.

Thursday 4th March is World Book Day and all staff and students are encouraged to dress up as a character from their favourite book. The emphasis for the week will be based on reading and literacy skills, bring a book to read during times when you are not studying. You will be required to help out in your appointed Learning Groups.

February half-term is another key time for KS5 students. All progress checks will be sent to Outwood Academy along with data on your effort and conduct, this combined information allows Outwood Academy to determine each student's progress.

On Thursday individual current attainment and effort grades will be printed and placed in student pigeon holes for your own records. Please use the half term break to reflect on your own progress and set yourself goals for the next term of studies.

Enjoy your half term break, i look forward to seeing you all refreshed and focussed on Monday 22nd February.

All KS5 students break up for the February half term on Thursday 11th so are not required to come in to school on Friday 12th or the following week. School resumes as normal on Monday 22nd February.

Horbury School has been given the opportunity to take part in the BBC School Report.

Our ‘Reporters’ will be taking part in their second practice News Day on Thursday 4^th February when they will be making their own news. They will be reporting on things going on in our school as well as National and International issues.

During the ultimate News Day on 11 March 2010, students will be working to a 2pm deadline to create video, audio and text-based news before publishing it on our school website by 4pm which will be linked to the BBC.

Throughout the day, the progress of students across the UK will be featured in an hour-by-hour account on the BBC Website, enabling students to compare their work with other School Reporters.

Some schools will have their reports shown on National and Local BBC News.

Reports and footage from our first practice day on 14^th January 2010 can be viewed here: http://www.horbury.wakefield.sch.uk/school_report.php

The School Restaurant are running a "Name our Restaurant" competition... Win a free lunch every day plus a VIP pass to front of the queue for 1 week. See here for more details

World Bear is looking for a volunteer to take him on holiday during half term. If you are going somewhere that World Bear can go to he would love to hear about it. He loves having his photograph taken and gets involved in most activities. Please e-mail World Bear using the link on the World Bear page to tell him where you plan to go and what activities he would be taking part in. 10 house points will be awarded to every genuine entry and 200 house points for the winner who gets to take World Bear on holiday and write his journal. The deadline for entries is Friday 5th February 2010, please remember to include your name and learning group on the e-mail.

Well done to those students who have gained a Grade C for their GCSE English. All students must continue to attend English lessons to either study towards higher grades or use the subject to obtain study skills.

The Assistant Head Principle from Outwood Academy will be visiting Horbury on Wednesday 20th January and may be in some of your lessons and may wish to speak with year 12 students. She will be very interested in each student's progress rates and together we will be looking at students who can continue to study on current courses.

I have become increasingly concerned by the lack of effort and poor behaviour of a group of year 12 students. Attendance rates are also on a decline, i know that the adverse weather has had some effect but those students that normally walk to school have still not been attending. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that it is each student's responsibility to behave in an appropriate manner, attend all lessons and complete all class work and home work set. Those students that have had disciplinary meetings are due for a review in Februaury so behaviour, progress and attendance should be at the highest possible levels.

Incidents have occurred over the last few days that are of concern and so regular assemblies will be planned in the future so as i can see all of you as a group. You will be notified of these assemblies by Mrs Gillard and they will be compulsory to attend.

I had planned to purchase small appliances for the Cube for hot drinking and food facilities this week, if these facilities are treated in the same way as the Cube is normally treated i will remove them and the Cube will be closed. Damage to school buildings and property will not be tolerated and fines may well be issued to students causing any malicious damage or not showing respect for the community in which our whole school is a part of.

A huge improvement is expected.

Happy New Year! Welcome back to a new term. I hope you all made the most of the Winter break and the snowy weather. More snow is forecast for our area so keep an eye on the front page of the website or listen to Radio Leeds or Ridings FM if you think school may be closed. School will only be closed in the most difficult circumstances so it is an unlikely event. In any event please make sure you dress according to the weather with sensible shoes and warm clothing.

Have you made a New Year's resolution? Now is the time to make a fresh start and look ahead to what you want to achieve, set yourself a goal and work hard to meet it.

Last Week of Term Arrangements

Monday 14th December - Students (and staff if they wish) will all be in fancy dress with the theme 'Pantomime'. During break and lunch students can collect donations from students and staff. During mentor period the 6th form students will be on the atrium balcony to sing a Christmas Carol of their choosing. All funds will go towards a new coffee/hot chocolate machine for The Cube.

7:00pm Monday 14th December - Christmas meal at Frankie and Bennies in Wakefield.

Tuesday 15th December - Secret Santa presents will be distributed at 2:30pm in The Cube, all students need to get their gifts to Miss Gibbs before this date. Gifts should be about £3.50 each and gift wrapped with name tags.

Friday 18th December - 'Mince Pie Morning' in The Cube for 6th form students and staff from 8:15am. Lessons finish for Christmas Holidays at 12:00pm and resume on 4th January as normal.

Before Christmas all of your teachers will be grading your current progress and reporting this to Outwood Grange. Between now and 18th December each student's progress will be reviewed by Miss Gibbs, your progress in each subject along with your overall commitment to your studies here at Horbury will determine the secrutiy of your place on your current courses.

As a cohort you should be aware that a number of students are performing well and in fact are being nominated for SLT praise. However, there are also a few individuals who are approaching disciplinary stages due to lack of work completed, missed lessons and a general lack of commitment. 

All exam certificates for students in current year 12 will be available for collection from reception during the week beginning Monday 23rd November 2009 between the hours of 4:00pm and 6:00pm. In order to accommodate those students who cannot make these times we will be offering a later collection time until 8:00pm on Tuesday 24th November 2009. Students need to ensure they bring some sort of identification with them and a signature will be needed before exam certificates are handed out. The cost of replacement certificates is £40 so please store them in a safe place once received.

Monday 16th November is a 'Wear It Blue' Day. It is a non-uniform day, please make the effort to wear something blue. This event is to highlight the national anti-bullying week and to raise money for the 'Beat Bullying' campaign. Each student will be expected to make a £1 donation and wrist bands will also be on sale for an additional £1 each.

Any further information about the anti-bullying programmes in school please contact a member of the Cyber mentor group. 

Mrs Gillard will be issuing you with appointment sheets for you to arrange appointments with each of your teachers for them to discuss with your parents your progress during your post 16 courses. You will also need to arrange an appointment with Mrs Gillard so she can give an overview to your parents and discuss any issues arising.

Please remember that this is an extremely important time for you in your education, I am pleased to hear that so many of you are doing so well, completing coursework and attending lessons and study sessions. Unfotunately i am also aware of some students missing lessons and falling behind, remember that the cut off point for catching up is the end of this term. If you are not upto date with work you may well be dismissed from the course. If this happens you will need to find alternative provision for January at a different centre, this will also effect your EMA.

School breaks up for 1 week on Friday 23rd October for half term, this is a normal school day. Students return to school on Monday 2nd November.

Thursday 22nd October at 7:30pm is the judging for the 2009 'Horbury's Got Talent', if you have a talent that you want to share with the rest of school please see Ms McNeil for further information on this event.

On Tuesday 20th October it is 'Wear it Pink' day at school, a non-uniform day to raise money for cancer charities. Mr Campbell has more information on this event, even though 6th form students don't wear uniform can you please make an effort to wear something pink and bring some money in.

All parents or carers of post 16 students will receive a letter this week with information on various 6th Form points. Copies of this letter can be viewed by following the relevant link:

As an MS Word document (183Kb)
As an Adobe Acrobat document (232Kb)

On October 21st it is the school's student Review Day for Parents and Students. Your normal lessons will not take place during this day, instead you are to attend a compulsory Study Skills session with Mrs Gillard between 10am and 12pm in Hum3, you can then use the afternoon to catch up on coursework, homework and private study.

Mrs Gillard and myself would like to organise a 6th Form social event for all 6th Form students and staff from Horbury School. If you have any ideas as to what you would like to do please see me in my office or e-mail me on sgibbs@horbury.wakefield.sch.uk

Following a meeting with Outwood Grange staff last week it was agreed that ALL exams will be sat at Outwood Grange Academy. This is because you are officially Outwood student's, although you are studying at Horbury School. Our Exams Officer, Mrs Bayford, is in close contact with the Exams Officer from Outwood. If you are unsure if you are entered for an exam or what date and time your exam will be please see Mrs Bayford in the Exams and Data Office on the main Admin corridor.

Wednesday 30th September 2009

Wednesday is the School Open Evening and school closes at 12:15pm. If you want to help on the evening please see your subject teachers or Mrs Gillard.

Formal Induction Day - To be held at Outwood Grange on Wednesday 23rd September between 9:00am and 12:45pm

ALL Students MUST attend in order to be a registered student. Failure to attend may result in a student no longer permitted to follow chosen courses.

During the day you will have a meeting with the Outwood Learning Guide to discuss you individual course options and EMA, etc. Please bring with you on the day copies of your GCSE results along with any other relevant certificates for confirmation of your grades.

You will be accompanied by Mrs Gillard, please meet at Outwood’s main reception at 8:45am Wednesday morning (if you need directions please see Mrs Gillard or Miss Gibbs). Bring with you a notepad, pens and pencils and either money for refreshments or a packed lunch.

Please see any teachers of the lessons you will miss on Wednesday to ensure you pick up any work you will need to do. Have a good time!

This is a unique chance for all 6th form students to add to their UCAS folders, which will be useful when applying for universities next year!!!

Horbury School will be taking part in the Marie Curie event 'Field of Hope', in which daffodils will be planted in the grounds of the school by students. I am looking for a team of 6th form students to organise this event in liaison with myself and Mrs Barras and to promote the event to the rest of the school with the aid of the year 11 prefects.

Not only will you be helping to raise awareness of cancer but you will be demonstrating leadership, self managing and organisational skills that universities are looking for in potential Degree students.

If you are interested in taking part in this event please see me in my office or e-mail me at sgibbs@horbury.wakefield.sch.uk. I look forward to hearing from you, particularly if you want to lead the whole team